Bilateral Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischaemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION) Associated with Essential Thrombocytosis

Introduction

Essential thrombocytosis (ET) is a rare nonreactive chronic myeloproliferative disorder with an increased risk of thromboembolic complications (TEC) [1]. So far only few reports were published on ocular symptoms of ET [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7]. In the case with ET reported here a severe visual handicap developed due to non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION).

• References

• 1 Colombi M, Radaelli F, Zocchi L et al. Thrombotic and hemorrhagic complication in essential thrombocythemia. Cancer 1991; 67: 2926-2930
• 2 Singer G. Migrating emboli of retinal arteries in thrombocythemia. Br J Ophthalmol 1969; 53: 278-281
• 3 Strassman I, Silverstone BZ, Seelenfreund MH et al. Essential thrombocythemia; a rare cause of central retinal artery occlusion. Metab Pediatr Syst Ophthalmol 1991; 14: 18-20
• 4 Yoshizumi MO, Townsend-Pico W. Essential thrombocythemia and central retinal vein occlusion with neovascular glaucoma. Am J Ophthalmol 1996; 121: 728-730
• 5 Liu M, Lee AG, Rice L et al. Bilateral retinal vascular occlusive disease in essential thrombocythemia. Retina 1999; 19: 563-564
• 6 Vardizer Y, Linhart Y, Loewenstein A et al. Interferon-alpha-associated bilateral simultaneous ischemic optic neuropathy. J Neuroophthalmol 2003; 23: 256-259
• 7 Klein JP, Cohen AB, Kimberly WT et al. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of bilateral simultaneous optic nerve infarctions. Arch Neurol 2009; 66: 132-133
• 8 Cortelazzo S, Finazzi G, Ruggeri M et al. Hydroxyurea for patients with essential thrombocythemia and a high risk of thrombosis. N Engl J Med 1995; 27: 1132-1136
• 9 Liozon E, Herrmann F, Kim L et al. Risk factors for visual loss in giant cell (temporal) arteritis; a prospective study of 174 patients. Am J Med 2001; 111: 211-217
• 10 Knizley H, Noyes WD. Iron deficiency anemia, papilledema, thrombocytosis and transient hemiparesis. Arch Intern Med 1972; 129: 483-486